The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said on Wednesday that it had commenced distribution of kits and equipment to fight spread of Lassa fever in the nine states in Niger Delta.

According to a statement issued in Port Harcourt by Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs Unit, the commission is concerned about high occurrence of the disease in Edo, Ondo and Rivers.

The statement which quoted Mrs Ibim Semenitari, Acting Managing Director of NDDC, said 1,800 pieces of kits, cold chains, sanitizers and personal protective equipment had been donated to the Rivers Central Medical Stores to distribute to patients in Rivers.

“We will also send kits to other states for prevention measures; so that the disease can be quickly contained if it spreads to other states.

“Distribution of Lassa fever kits and facilities to store vaccines is part of the commission’s commitments to support the fight against infectious diseases and health challenges in the region.

“The commission will soon donate mosquito nets to states health ministries which will be distributed to people in rural communities,” Semenitari was quoted in the statement as saying.